Family Speaks After 13-Year-Old’s Rabid Beaver Attack in Maryland

The family of a 13-year-old boy who was brutally attacked by a rabid beaver in Maryland has come forward, sharing details of the incident. They described the animal as a substantial, four-foot-long adult.

This incident, which occurred on July 26, was the first of three rabid beaver attacks that led to the closure of Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County. The boy, identified as Dominick Cebula, was reportedly looking at fish underwater while swimming when the beaver emerged suddenly and bit his chest, according to information shared on the family’s GoFundMe page.

The attack, considered unprovoked, unfolded right in front of Dominick’s mother and younger brother, who were standing on the shore, helplessly watching the situation develop. Dominick’s aunt, Leigh Cebula, provided more context, stating, “This beaver came out of nowhere from the deep of the lake, beelined straight toward Dominick, and began biting and attacking him.” She emphasized that he hadn’t done anything to provoke the animal.

The boy’s father, Jeff Cebula, described how Dominick tried to free himself from the beaver’s grip. “He grabbed its head and a leg, attempting to get it off him. At some point, he realized it was locked on,” Jeff recounted. Eventually, Dominick managed to pull the beaver off but not without further incident; the beaver lunged at him again, biting his right hand, leading to a second struggle.

Afterward, he was urgently airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where medical staff treated his injuries and provided rabies post-exposure treatment. His mother, Alishia Cebula, reflected on the traumatic experience, noting that paramedics were concerned about the possibility of a punctured lung, although thankfully it turned out he was fine in that regard.

Now, Dominick is reportedly recovering well after undergoing surgery earlier this month to repair a severed nerve in his finger. Alishia mentioned that he has had numerous appointments for rabies vaccinations, expressing gratitude for the vaccine and relief that they are nearing the end of this ordeal. “It’s been a tough time, but we’re hopeful,” she added.

Leigh pointed out that the family had frequented that swimming area for years without encountering beavers before this alarming incident. Following Dominick’s attack, the beaver was euthanized and tested positive for rabies, which led to the immediate closure of swimming access to Hunting Creek Lake.

This incident marked the initial attack in a string of three reported at the park. Just days later, on August 5, a 19-year-old fisherman reported being bitten by a beaver, and shortly after that, a 10-year-old girl at Seneca Creek State Park experienced a similar attack while with a group.